The Glorious First of June

CHOMBEC (Centre for the History of Music in Britain, the Empire and the Commonwealth)

Glorious First of June

The Glorious First of June refers to a naval battle in 1794, when the British Channel Fleet under the First Earl Howe attempted to interdict a French grain convoy protected by the French Atlantic Fleet. The French broke through, but had to withdraw the battle fleet from the open sea, giving the British the opportunity to blockade French ports. The music was composed by Stephen Storace (1762-1796), brother of famous opera singer Nancy Storace. He was music director of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 1788 until his death, in which time he wrote 17 operas and afterpieces.

  • Item reference: Frank S. Brown Music Collection
  • Photographer: Jamie Carstairs
  • Copyright: University of Bristol
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